ISLAMABAD: In an effort to promote environmentalism through art, young artists painted to highlight the importance of the conservation of mountain areas and natural beauty surrounding them.

Masters and bachelors students contributed some 135 oil on canvas paintings to the Pakistan Mountain Festival. Their works were unveiled at the Ibex Club at Lake View Park on Tuesday.

The week-long exhibition is part of an annual event – now in its fifth year – arranged by local NGO Development Communications Network (Devcom-Pakistan).

The show was held in connection with International Mountain Day, which is celebrated on December 11.

The exhibition featured paintings about mountain environment, water, biodiversity and life in Pakistan’s highlands. Despite the size of the event, the show was not well attended, other than by schoolchildren who had been invited.

Nonetheless, Capital Development Authority (CDA) Member Environment Syed Mustafain Kazmi, who was the chief guest at the event, described the exhibition as a significant contribution that reflected the importance of natural landscapes, environment, water and wildlife.

“The high standards of paintings are impressive and very relevant,” Mr Kazmi said.

The show also highlighted the possible threats to mountain life such as diminishing natural resources from human intervention in mountainous regions, deforestation and the loss of natural habitats. It emphasised the impact of climate change on life, land and property.

Riffat Ara Baig, the coordinator of the painting competition and curator of the exhibition, said: “The students have rich observation about the mountain environment, and their creative flair has produced good imagery of the mountain.”

She said a jury of reputable artists would examine the paintings and winners from three categories will be awarded prizes, while the rest will receive certificates of participation.

Ibex Club CEO Esam Khattak said: “Pakistan Mountain Festival activities are similar to the ones that we have been promoting for the last five years. Urban communities, especially the youth, need to be trained and engaged in mountain environment conservation initiatives.”

One of the participating artists, Urooq Kazmi, said the initiative allowed her to express herself creatively.

“Such events also educate the youth about the challenges being faced by our environment and mountains,” she said.

Sundas Azhar, a student from Fatima Jinnah University, said that thematic art could play an important role in educating the public about the beauty and grandeur of Pakistan’s mountain areas.

The exhibited paintings featured dreamlike impressions of lakes, colourful sunrises and sunsets, trees, depictions of K2 and mountain wildlife. The exhibition will be up until Sunday.

Published in Dawn, December 9th, 2015